Published on, Sept. 28 -- September 28, 2025 3:16 AM

Carlos Alcaraz admitted his ankle injury had worried him and was on his mind as he beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-3 at the Japan Open on Saturday.

The world number one hurt himself two days earlier in his opening match in Tokyo, crumpling to the ground before playing on with his ankle heavily strapped. The Spaniard was left sweating on his fitness but he showed no evidence of discomfort as he returned to the court to beat world number 45 Bergs in front of an adoring Japanese crowd.

Alcaraz got the job done in an hour and 20 minutes and will face American Brandon Nakashima in the quarter-finals on Sunday. "I was a bit worried before the match so I just wanted to warm up and let's s...